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Ski Goggles: How to Choose the Best Winter Sports Eyewear

Ski Goggles are an essential part of proper eye protection when participating in winter sports. In order to choose the best winter sports eyewear for your needs it is first important to know what risks are in the first place.

UV protection

UV danger is just as much a problem in the winter as it is in the summertime. Even when it is cloudy, your eyes are exposed to intense amounts of ultraviolet radiation from the sun – in fact almost 100% of UV rays can penetrate the clouds. Moreover, when it’s hazy, your pupils remain more dilated than on bright days, so some of the eye’s natural protective mechanisms are less effective, which leaves your eyes more susceptible to UV penetration, and the harm it can cause. Winter weather presents a double-edged sword: plenty of ultraviolet radiation and decreased natural protection.

If you are on the slopes, you are likely even more at risk. On fresh snow, you are being hit directly with ultraviolet rays from the sky and reflecting from the glaring snow. A good pair of ski goggles, will have 100% ultraviolet protection to keep your eyes safe from these dangerous UV rays.

Protection from the elements

Along with winter sports fun comes cold rain, sleet and snow and dry, whipping wind. These conditions can take a toll on your eyes leaving them, dry, red and stinging. Additionally, glare or fog from the ice and snow can worsen these conditions and further limit your visibility, putting you at risk of temporary blindness – a real danger if you are on the slopes. Choose winter sports eyewear with a large frame that will completely cover your eyes and the areas around them. Wrap-around ski goggles with side shields are your best bet for full coverage. Also make sure you ask for anti-glare and anti-fog lenses or a coating – because if you can’t see – you can’t ski!

Lens and Frame Durability

Even the top performers fall every once in a while and when they do, it is important that their sports eyewear can stand the fall. Most ski goggles are made from flexible materials and reinforced lenses made from polycarbonate or Trivex impact resistant lens materials. Look for proper padding and foam inserts at all impact points with the face.

Most importantly make sure that the ski goggles you choose fit comfortably and that you can see properly under the conditions in which you will be using them. There are many different styles, lens tints and shapes to choose from so make sure you try on a number of pairs before making your decision.